MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia football coach Neal Brown announced the Mountaineer defensive coaching staff will share responsibilities by committee for the 2020 season, following the mutual parting with former coordinator Vic Koenning.
Jordan Lesley will oversee the front of the defense, and Jahmile Addae will handle the back. Jeff Casteel will coach the outside linebackers, and Dontae Wright ill now coach the safeties. Jeff Koonz will coach the inside linebackers and oversee the special teams unit.
“Given the timing and unique circumstances surrounding the pandemic, we are going to divide responsibilities and use a committee approach,” Brown said in a news release. “We are promoting Jeff Casteel to an on-the-field position and know he will be a great contributor. We have an outstanding group of defensive coaches, and I have the utmost confidence in their ability.”
Casteel returned to West Virginia on March 27 as a defensive analyst. He brings 33 years of defensive coaching experience, including 10 years at WVU where he helped the Mountaineers win three BCS bowl games. He has helped guide teams to 14 conference championships and 15 bowl appearances and has coached numerous All-Americans and professional players.
WVU announced July 22 Koenning would leave his post and be paid about 55% of his remaining salary over the next two years. The ruling came after an investigation that lasted nearly a month when Koenning was placed on administrative leave as a result of a Twitter post made by sophomore safety Kerry Martin.
